Growing Lettuce Indoors

Ideal Conditions

1. Lettuce grows best indoors when the temperature is between 40 and 65 degrees and when it receives 6 to 10 hours of bright sunlight daily. Consider purchasing lights designed specifically for plant growing if your room does not receive sufficient light. Select a container at least 10 to 12 inches deep to accommodate deep roots.

Preparing the Soil

2. Mix equal parts potting soil, vermiculite, peat and perlite and place into your container. Place your lettuce seeds in 1/8-inch deep and cover with soil mixture. Add water until the soil is soaked.

Thinning

3. Germination should take place after one to two weeks, at which time you will need to thin your lettuce to give it enough room to grow. You will need to remove extra seedlings so there is one seedling every 6 inches.

Water and Fertilization

4. Add a mixture of balanced fertilizer that is equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium every two weeks.
   
   Water the lettuce as often as necessary to keep the soil moist without being fully wet.

Harvesting

5. When the leaves are large enough to pull away from the plant, your lettuce is ready to harvest. Use garden shears to gently cut the leaves away from the plant or simply pull the entire plant out with your hands.